Top Ten Pink Floyd Songs for Audiophiles
Published Wednesday, April 23, 2008 @ 9:55 am • 58 Responses
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The music of Pink Floyd is an audiophile’s wet dream. It is at once diverse, complex, intricate, rhythmic, mysterious, and downright heavy. The vastly inspiring soundscapes created by Pink Floyd are perfect for late nights spent working on the computer. Given a nice pair of high-quality headphones, the following hand-picked collection of Pink Floyd songs is sure to elevate your listening experience to the next level.
- #10: Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun
- Over five minutes of pure sonic bliss. An excellent example of why Pink Floyd remains highly influential within experimental, electronic, and ambient music genres. Originally released on Saucerful of Secrets.
- #09: Obscured by Clouds
- The title track on Floyd’s second film score, Obscured by Clouds, is slow and heavy, like some murderous drama played backwards and in slow motion. Hard to believe they threw this down in 1972.
- #08: The Narrow Way
- This is a complex, deeply moving set of 3 songs from Ummagumma. The three tracks unfold in timeless mystery, invoking a mystical depression that is secretly explored and finally resolved in the final set. Even after listening to this song hundreds of times, I still cannot claim to fully comprehend its layered meanings. If you are familiar with this song, I would love to hear your interpretation.
- #07: Astronomy Domine
- There are several “official” recorded versions of Astronomy Domine (e.g., Ummagumma), each of them incredible in their own unique way. For me, the song’s brilliant intensity became all too real after hearing (and seeing) it played live by Pink Floyd in Vancouver, B.C. The arena was packed. After a long wait for the band to begin, the subtle sounds of a trickling stream slowly filled the atmosphere. Just as we began to trip out on the flowing waters, the stadium was ripped apart with the explosive opening sequence of Astronomy Domine. I almost crapped myself. Absolutely unforgettable.
- #06: On the Run / Time
- Many people have heard Dark Side of the Moon, but few know it well enough to discern the different songs, especially on the first half of the album. After opening with Speak to Me and Breathe, the musical voyage drifts into the surreal soundscape of On the Run, which suddenly bursts into the monumental track, Time. Although this entire four-song opening sequence is perhaps the Floyd’s finest offering, Time stands out as a highly profound, musically diverse meditation of perpetual relevance. Most essential.
- #05: Shine on You Crazy Diamond
- This song is broken up into two halves, each which is further divided into distinct segments (parts I - V and VI - IX). Taken in its entirety, Shine on is a timeless voyage that invites focus, inspires memory, and invokes emotion. To many, Shine on epitomizes the essence of the Pink Floyd sound. Originally released on Wish You Were Here.
- #04: Another Brick in the Wall
- Taken together, Pink Floyd’s three-piece set from The Wall is about as diverse and musically intense as it gets. The set opens with a quiet, subconscious contemplation, breaks into a chanting academic rock anthem (with a scorching, first-take Gilmour solo), and concludes with an existential resolution and transcendental momentum. As delivered, these songs provide context to The Wall while demonstrating the musical maturity of the band.
- #03: Dogs / Pigs
- If you are unfamiliar with Animals, you are missing out on some of Pink Floyd’s highest, heaviest, most intense music. On every level — musically, lyrically, emotionally — Animals will utterly peel your cap back. If you lack the time to sit through the entire recording, focus on either Pigs or Dogs (or both). You may not “get it” the first time (or three), but rest assured, it’s all there. Quality headphones absolutely mandatory.
- #02: Unknown Song
- A surprising number of Pink Floyd fans have never heard this brilliant song. Originally released on the relatively rare Zabriskie Point soundtrack, the Unknown Song is Pink Floyd flowing at their best, a timeless expression of instrumental bliss. Best if taken with zero stress, a relaxed mood, and an open mind.
- #01: Fearless
- This is my all-time favorite Pink Floyd song. I am moved to tears (in a good way) nearly every time I listen to it. The lyrics speak to me on many levels, and the music represents Floyd flowing together as one. I love the way the song ends with a chorus of “You’ll never walk alone.” — Very intense and inspiring. Originally released on Meddle.
Speak to me..
One of the great things about Pink Floyd is that they mean so many different things to so many different people. Everybody who listens to them does so for a different reason. And there are countless great Pink Floyd songs — some would even argue that they are all great. Still, highlighting a few favorites is a great way to help others discover some great music. So, for the Floyd heads out there, what are your favorites, and why? Top three? Top ten? Top ???
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April 24, 2008 at 12:08 pm
i love “ehoes” from the live in pompeii set, or meddle lp. great idea for a post, nice one.
April 27, 2008 at 11:14 pm
I’m agree! :)
May 1, 2008 at 12:18 pm
I’d have to say that you need ‘Wish You Were Here’ out: it’s a beautiful song, even if the lyrical theme is a little hackneyed - the whole ‘War is bad, mmmmkay?’ thing is a bit overdone, but it is masterfully replayed in this track.
Just my 2c
May 6, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Nice to see ackowledgment of the Unknown Song as Pink Floyd at their best. Thier are three versions of it I know of, one of them is very hard to find, the other is often listed as ‘Rain in the Country’. They all have thier own charm. I would add Pillow of Winds, Fat Old Sun, Ibiza Bar, Matilda Mother and Flaming to the list but I guess theres no room.
July 28, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I love these so called fans and leave out songs like numb, SFOS, CBTL, RLH, WTTM, UAT, WYWH, and for the love of everything Echoes, off top 10 list?
Pathetic
July 29, 2008 at 7:40 am
Speaking of pathetic, Michael’s third favorite song is from the pathetically lame “Division Bell”, which is basically a glorified Gilmour album with guest appearances by Mason and Wright — Roger Waters had nothing to do with it. Call me pathetic, but without Waters, it just ain’t Pink Floyd!
July 29, 2008 at 8:32 am
Ack! Comfortably Numb? Run Like Hell? Wish You Were Here?!?! Seriously?! Give me a break, Michael — half of your “Top Ten” choices are overplayed media cliches popularized by mainstream pop culture. They appear on just about every uninspired, unoriginal top-ten list ever created! Try reaching back a little further into the archives, and for the love of all that’s right and good in the world, “Division Bell” is NOT a Pink Floyd album!!
July 30, 2008 at 12:50 am
1 - I don’t think that if a song is good and I like it then it becomes a bad song if it’s a “overplayed media cliches popularized by mainstream pop culture”
2 - I don’t (can’t?) include Division Bell in my Pink Floyd albums list
September 17, 2008 at 6:26 pm
- Echoes
- Sheep
- Dogs
- Us and Them
- Shine on you Crazy Diamond
- On the Run/Time
- Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun
- Not gonna be on many lists but When the Tigers Broke Free
- The Final Cut
- Pigs
As you can see — I really like Animals!
September 22, 2008 at 7:43 am
Interesting list!
I think that Meddle is my favourite album - mostly because it brings back memories of my teenage years.
My favourite song (at this moment, it can change from day to day) is Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun
September 24, 2008 at 3:36 pm
If I had to rate albums in order it would be:
- Animals
- Meddle
- Dark Side
- The Final Cut
- 5+6 (Tie) Wish you Were Here and The Wall
It’s funny because the first time I listened to Animals and Meddle–I didn’t like them. The second time, I was hooked. I watched Live at Pompei years ago and hated it–now, it blows me away. It’s amazing to me.
Also, I have seen Roger Waters a few times in concert and TOTALLY avoided the new Pink Floyd and you know what? I just bought The Division Bell and it does have some treats in it. I also just bought David Gilmore’s new DVD and actually liked some of his new stuff (On an Island) as well as the newest rendition of Echoes–fantastic! Too bad R. Wright just passed away–I think I would have gone to see the new Floyd without Waters after all these years of avoiding them.
Marv
September 24, 2008 at 3:38 pm
By the way–I do a lot of programming and when I need to tune out the wife/kids/TV–I listen to Animals, Dark Side, Meddle and Wish you Were Here–get a lot of work done that way.
October 5, 2008 at 3:51 pm
So far, my favorite albums are:
- Meddle
- The Final Cut
- More
- A Momentary Lapse of Reason
- Ummagumma
I still don’t have A Saucerful of Secrets or The Division Bell, so please don’t get mad that they are’nt on there. If I had to choose a favorite song, it would probably be Echoes with Two Suns In the Sunset next in line.
BTW, the backround wallpaper on this site is cool.
October 7, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Well, I have heard Corporal Clegg and Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun, but i’m too broke to by any more albums right now. I’ve also heard that The Division Bell was’nt very good and Marooned and High Hopes are the only ones worth listening to. Anyway, I might swap out A Momentary Lapse for The Wall.
December 3, 2008 at 6:51 pm
I don’t know about anyone else here but my favorite song is learning to fly.
Although I do admit the middle of the song is just noise :-\
December 5, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Well, i’m glad there’s someone else out there who likes that album. A lot of people say that the David Gilmour Era was terrible, but they were amazing. They say it’s “not floyd”, whick I think is stupid. I think it is Floyd, just a different side of it which I am glad to hear. Don’t get me wrong, Roger Waters’ Era was awesome too, but it got kinda repetetive.
December 11, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Really? I did’nt find anything monotonous about their last two albums. But I am glad you at least listened to the albums. Most people I know who favor the Waters Floyd won’t give it a chance. By the way, i’m not a Gilmour fanboy, just to clear things up. I personally like Pink Floyd the most ‘75 and before.
December 14, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Well, I meant I liked Pink Floyd the most ‘75 and before. I still like The Wall and all that stuff, I actually liked The Final Cut more than The Wall. And Animals was pretty good album as well.Sheep has a good concept to it. In fact, the whole album does.
December 17, 2008 at 3:53 pm
My top three Pink Floyd albums? Pretty much what you said. Sadly, A Saucerful of Secrets and Meddle don’t get enough credit as they should… Although if I could, might add The Final Cut and The Division Bell.
It kills me to say it, but I have not seen Pink Floyd in concert, but I have seen videos of them (Delicate Sound of Thunder, The Wall, P*U*L*S*E) and they are FANTASTIC at live shows. Also, I have heard a few Zambriskie Point songs. I forget there actual names, but it was something like Unknown Song, Love Song, and Come Number 51, Your Time Is Up… or something like that.
December 28, 2008 at 9:03 pm
For me is incredible that some people are so fanatics that can’t listen “A momentary lapse of reason” and “the division bell” just because RW wasn’t part of it. Believe me, you are missing two terrific albums, and probably if the name of Roger just appears on any of it (without any changes), you will consider them amazing.
The rest is about taste…
- “High hopes”
- “On the turning way”
- “Run like hell”
- “Money”
- “Wots… uh the deal”
- “The Fletcher memorial home”
- “Pigs [Three Different Ones]”
- “Fat old sun”
- “One of these days”
- “Astronomy domine”
..and all of the album “Wish you were here”
January 1, 2009 at 5:02 pm
I prefer the “old style” Pink Floyd periods. The last three albums (I include “Delicate Sound of Thunder” too) seems to be something else from Pink Floyd sound, not bad, but different.
They seems to be some kind of Gilmour albums, in some way just like the (great!) The Final Cut is for Waters :)
And you know that “Water” is life! ;)
April 8, 2009 at 8:20 am
My top 10 Pink Floyd Song:
- Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)
- Wish You Were Here
- Comfortably Numb
- Shine On You Crazy Diamond
- Time
- Echoes
- Money
- Hey You
- Pigs (Three Different Ones)
- Learning To Fly
My Top 10 Pink Floyd Album:
- The Wall
- The Dark Side Of The Moon
- Wish You Were Here
- Animals
- The Division Bell
- A Saucerful Of Secrets
- A Momentary Lapse Of Reason
- Meddle
- The Piper Gates Of Dawn
- Atom Heart Mother
April 8, 2009 at 8:31 am
I cannot say wich album is my best…
I cannot decide! :)
April 15, 2009 at 6:23 am
I was surprised reading this that no one had mentioned Atom Heart Mother Suite. I quite often listen to that while working. But I would have to say that The Wall, Dark Side & Wish You Were Here get a thrashing while I work.
I hate the arguments over wether a album with Roger Waters is a Floyd album or not. If you take this logic then nor are any albums with out Syd Barrett true Floyd albums either. Go check the writing credits on Piper at the Gates - almost all Barrett. Waters, Gilmour, Wright & Mason all contributed over the years on many albums - espically Ummagumma.
For those who think Comfortably Numb is too commercial I don’t care - that solo blows me away everytime. I’ve started collecting differnet live versions of it just for the nuanice of it each time Dave plays. It doesn’t help when they edit out a couple of minutes on some of the offical release live recordings.
May 26, 2009 at 9:52 am
No-one included ‘Bike’ on their list!
I’ve got a bike
You can ride it if you like
It’s got a basket
A bell that rings
And things to make it look good …
Pure poetry!
June 7, 2009 at 11:24 am
Well, as Pink Floyd are my favourite band, this list is subject to constant revision.
- Comfortably Numb
- Echoes
- Shine On You Crazy Diamond
- Dogs
- Wish You Were Here
- Us and Them
- Time
- Sheep
- Run Like Hell
- The Final Cut
Post-Waters Pink Floyd was okay, but lacking Waters’ lyrical genius. “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” is, in my opinion, a very poor album, though Gilmour redeemed himself somewhat with “The Division Bell”, which is a pretty good album.
Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd are, all joking aside, best appreciated whilst under the influence (of any intoxicant.) My favourite Barrett-PF songs are “Lucifer Sam” and “Arnold Layne”, and he wrote some great solo stuff too - “Here I Go”, “Dominoes”, “Gigolo Aunt”, “Octopus” etc. Whilst what happened to Syd was a tragic shame, I feel that ultimately Pink Floyd were better off without him.
Favourite albums:
- The Dark Side of the Moon
- Wish You Were Here
- Animals
- The Wall
- The Final Cut
- The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
- Meddle
- The Division Bell
- Obscured By Clouds
- Relics (patchy, but it has some classics e.g. “Arnold Layne” and “Cirrus Minor)
However, I maintain that the greatest album of all time (even greater than “TDSOTM”) is Roger Waters’ “Amused To Death”. Check it out - it’s an incredible album.
June 10, 2009 at 8:51 am
Your seasonal approach to Pink Floyd is interesting - I’ve never come across an idea quite like that before. I would have to say:
- Spring — “Meddle”, “Obscured By Clouds” and “The Division Bell”
- Summer — “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn” and “Wish You Were Here”
- Autumn — “The Dark Side of the Moon”, “Animals” and “The Wall”
- Winter — “The Final Cut”
“Piper”, after all, was from the “Summer of Love” in 1967. The Autumn material is all quite dark, especially “Animals”, which for me has a unique power that I am yet to find anywhere else, even in “The Wall”. Perhaps it’s my sentimentality - “Animals” was the album which sparked my obsession with Pink Floyd in the first place. I still get chills listening to “Dogs” now, especially the intro, as it was the first Pink Floyd song I ever listened to.
As for “Waterless Floyd”, I am in conflict with myself over whether or not post-Waters Pink Floyd is really Pink Floyd at all. For me, Pink Floyd is partly about the synergy achieved by the four members, but mainly about Roger Waters’ genius. The brilliance of Gilmour and Wright comes across as a tad bland and middle-of-the-road without a guiding force i.e. Roger Waters. In my opinion, their finest hour was “The Dark Side of the Moon”, where they all contributed considerably not only to the overall feel of the album, but to the songwriting (even Nick Mason has a couple of credits.) That being said, Waters-dominated Floyd (everything after “DSOTM” up until he left), is fantastic and easily better than their earlier stuff, which, up until “Meddle”, lacked any real purpose or direction.
“A Momentary Lapse of Reason” has a classic album cover but largely terrible music. “Sorrow” is a classic PF song, but besides that, only “Learning to Fly” helps give “Momentary Lapse” any redeeming qualities (”One Slip” is okay as well, I guess, but it’s hardly up to the standards of pre-1984 Pink Floyd.) “The Division Bell”, however, I find on the whole to be a good album. “High Hopes” is a highly moving song, and besides a couple of very average tunes, I feel that the album as a whole was easily David Gilmour’s finest hour as a songwriter.
To me, post-Waters “Pink Floyd” is a bit like “post-Lennon The Beatles”. It just doesn’t feel right to the point of seeming absurd. I am more inclined to regard Gilmour, Wright and Mason as just that - Gilmour, Wright and Mason - and not Pink Floyd.
June 23, 2009 at 11:35 pm
I would have to say my favorite albums would be like this:
- Wish You Were Here
- Dark Side of the Moon
- Meddle
- Animals
- The Wall
- Atom Heart Mother
- Piper at the Gates of Dawn
- Saucerful of Secrets.
Songs:
- Breathe
- Shine on
- Comfortably Numb (PULSE version)
- Echoes
- Fat Old Sun
- One of These Days
- Another Brick in the Wall (all parts)
- Time
- Dogs
- Lucifer Sam
June 24, 2009 at 5:20 pm
id put atom heart mother in there. its great to listen to with hq headphones with all the brass instruments playing. i also think the entire division bell album is great for audio[hiles since the quality is so rich and so much greatness
June 27, 2009 at 9:19 am
- A Saucerful of Secrets (Live - Ummagumma)
- Echoes
- The Embryo (Live - Peel Sessions)
- Careful With That Axe Eugene (Live - Ummagumma)
- Time
- Childhood’s End
- The Great Gig in the Sky
- Shine On You Crazy Diamond
- Dogs
- Us and Them
No one else on here mentioned Childhood’s End. It is easily the best song on Obscured by Clouds and seems to be overlooked quite often.
June 29, 2009 at 11:46 am
Good list, but where is Comfortably Numb?
June 29, 2009 at 1:48 pm
comfortably numb is great, but hasnt much to offer with hq equipment.
June 29, 2009 at 2:01 pm
my favorite albums best to worst:
- Dark Side of the Moon
- Division Bell
- The Wall
- Animals
- Wish You Were Here
- Meddle
- Obscured By Clouds
- A Momentary Lapse of Reason
- Atom Heart Mother
- Ummagumma
- A Saucerful of Secrets
- The Final Cut
- Piper At the Gates of Dawn (respect it but way better live)
- More
July 7, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Why hasn’t interstellar overdrive been mentioned? the ending with headphones is perfect and trippy. Lucifer Sam is also very good with headphones. or barely any early stuff. Its absolutely amazing. Paint box is also very good. my favorite period goes right up to Meddle. One of these day and Echoes are the best of that album. the one thing i love about piper is all the songs except gnome have sick instrumental sections. and gnome amazing as it is.
September 8, 2009 at 2:49 pm
- pigs on the wing
- pillow of winds
- grantchester meadows
- goodbye cruel world
- nobody home/vera
- mother
- wish you were here
- set the controls for the heart of the sun
- or (stcfthots)
- bike
- stoned alone
i think pink floyd songs i made into 5 catorgies
- soft folk
- hard rock
- expermential
- syd barret days
- new floyd
October 18, 2009 at 7:49 am
heres my list:
- echoes
- one the run/time
- one of these days!!!
- dogs
- shine on you crazy diamond
- wish you were here
- careful with the axe eugene
- money
- sorrow
- another brick in the wall
to be frank, tho i like comfortably numb, i think pink floyd has much more to offer..
December 2, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Glad I’m not the only one that thinks Fearless is their best song. I love all of their stuff, but nothing strikes me like that one.
February 8, 2010 at 6:56 pm
First off great list. Probably the one of the best I’ve ever seen. I enjoyed your limiting of The Wall, and Dark Side of the Moon. Here is my List:
1. Hey You
2. Fearless
3. Pigs
4. Jugband Blues
5. Nobody Home
6. Wish you were here
7. Sheep
8. Dogs
9. On The Turning Away
10. Comfortably Numb
I love all of Pink Floyds albums but for some reason Animals just gets to me. It is perfect in every way, except that it only works as an album for me. I must listen to all of it. But song wise Hey You and Fearless are both perfect songs. One point I disagree with you on is that Jugband Blues is vastly superior to Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun if you want to talk about Saucer Full Of Secrets. Excelent list otherwise. Well done.
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1 • H5N1
April 24, 2008 at 10:21 am
What to say further more? :)
Maybe I’d include also Cirrus Minor.
That song is so sad and beatiful at the same time.
Anyway Pink Floyd are my favourite band :D